SRINAGAR: A 250-member youth delegation from Jammu and Kashmir, participating in the ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme organised by the Ministry of Home Affairs, called on the Vice President of India, C. P. Radhakrishnan, at Uprashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi on Thursday.
The ‘Watan Ko Jano’ programme, an initiative of the Ministry of Home Affairs in collaboration with the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, aims to promote national integration by enabling youth from the Union Territory to visit and experience different parts of the country.
Interacting with the delegation, the Vice President said he was pleased to meet “vibrant, talented, and determined young minds” from Jammu and Kashmir. Recalling his recent visit to Srinagar for the convocation ceremony at the University of Kashmir, he highlighted visible progress in women’s development and empowerment in the region.
He also referred to the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team’s maiden Ranji Trophy victory, describing it as a reflection of the positive direction in which the youth are shaping the future, alongside increased leadership of women in education.
Commending the Ministry of Home Affairs for organising the programme, he said such initiatives strengthen the sense of shared national identity while building confidence, awareness, and aspirations among young people, in line with the vision of “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.”
Describing Jammu and Kashmir as a region of immense scenic beauty and rich cultural heritage, the Vice President said it holds significant potential to emerge as a major global tourist destination. He noted that expanding opportunities in education, technology, tourism, and entrepreneurship could enable the youth to contribute to a peaceful, prosperous, and inclusive future.
Encouraging the participants, he urged them to remain connected to their roots, believe in their abilities, and work collectively to make Jammu and Kashmir a symbol of harmony and growth. He also expressed satisfaction over students from the region excelling in Civil Services and competitive examinations such as IIT and IIM entrances.
Highlighting the importance of a healthy youth population, he advised students to stay away from drugs and motivate their peers to do the same, stating that a strong nation rests on a healthy and aware younger generation.
Extending his best wishes, the Vice President called upon the youth to contribute towards building a “Viksit” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” noting that national development is contingent upon the progress of every state and region.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh was also present during the interaction. Addressing the delegation, he spoke about the developmental transformation of Jammu and Kashmir over the past decade under the leadership of Narendra Modi, and noted that the aspirations of the region’s youth have risen, with many excelling across diverse fields.
